As you no doubt start preparations for Black Friday (the Megadeth song of the same name is way cooler), have a gander at all the transpired the past week in metal. Come to think of it, “Black Friday” is a really cool song, but Mustaine won’t play it anymore because of its supposed “Satantic” implications. Whatever, Dave. Slayer’s Tom Araya is an admitted Catholic, yet he sings “Learn the sacred words of praise, hail Satan” every night when “Altar of Sacrifice” is played. Too each his own, eh? – David E. Gehlke
General housekeeping
We launched two giveaways this week: One for Texas death bezerkers Seeker, and another for Boston brutalizers Soul Remnants. Check ’em out!
Playing a set consisting solely of classics, DR caught Slayer in Pittsburgh. They even played an Exodus cover. Wow!
Caught in the act: Periphery in Philadelphia; Cauldron and Fates Warning in Toronto…and Slayer in Toronto as well.
Features
Matt Coe caught up with legendary female vocalist Leather Leone of Chastain in this two-part interview, which can be found here and here.
The ever-busy Ola Englund of Feared checked in with Kyle McGinn to discuss the band’s new Vinter album, and his work ethic.
Reformed 80’s thrash/power troupe Heretic have a new boxset to promote, and leader Brian Korban was more than happy to oblige.
Roland Grapow of Masterplan had a lot to talk about: Jorn, their new singer, and his time in Helloween. Click here for an utterly fascinating conversation.
Reviews
Swedish metallers Sabaton are getting bigger by the day. See them in action on their Swedish Empire Live DVD.
Experimental death metal outfit Aevangelist score high marks with their Omen Ex Simulcara effort.
Reformed Finnish death metal troupe Convulse get going in the right direction with Evil Prevails.
The long-running Pro-Pain are at it again with The Final Revolution.
Dethklok make their first foray into opera with The Doomstar Requiem, A Klok Opera.
One of the more exciting and exotic bands going, Iceland’s Solstafir had their first album Í Blóði og Anda reissued.
The above-mentioned Feared get down with some straight-up Swedish modern death metal on Vinter.
Pestilence are on reformation album #3 with Obsideo.
Chastain sound inspired and invigorated on Surrender to No One.
Ephel Duath are all over the place on the difficult Hemmed by Darkness, Shaped by Light.
The news in ten
1. Lemmy says he’s “Paying for the good times.”
2. Kampfar to release Djevelmakt in January.
3. GWAR release the video for “The Madness at the Core of Time.”
4. Generation Kill release the album teaser for We’re All Gonna Die.
5. Exodus bassist Jack Gibson steps in for Testament’s Greg Christian on North American tour.
6. Crowbar hit the studio to begin work on their tenth studio album.
7. Iron Maiden’s Trooper Ale now in British supermarkets.
8. Grand Magus to release Triumph and Power in January.
9. Brutal Truth streams the video for “Lottery.”
10. Chrome Division (featuring Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir) set to release Infernal Rock Eternal in January.